Rosberg angry as Hamilton wins third title

Lewis Hamilton's celebratory moments as he became a triple world champion on Sunday had a bitter tinge.

As he equalled his boyhood hero Ayrton Senna's title tally at the end of a dreary weekend in Austin, Briton Hamilton said it was the best moment of his life.

But in the moments before he leapt for joy on the podium, his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg hurled a Pirelli-branded cap at Hamilton.

"The cap (incident) was nothing," the German insisted. "Just typical games."

In the pre-podium waiting room, an emotional Hamilton had helpfully tossed the second-placed Pirelli cap from the official table onto Rosberg's lap -- and the defeated German did not appreciate the gesture.

When it came hurling back, narrowly missing Hamilton's face, the new triple world champion glared back in surprise, and a similarly grim look could also be seen on Mercedes chief Paddy Lowe's face.

Rosberg then refused to spray champagne on the podium as Hamilton celebrated his win and title.

"We said before the race that Nico is always so controlled, but now the collar bursts," Marc Surer, a pundit for German television Sky, said.

"I think it was a completely normal reaction after this race and it should not be overstated."

Indeed, not only had Rosberg lost the world championship to Hamilton for the second consecutive time, he also lost the race win by spinning.

"It's unbelievable," he said of the latter. "It's never happened to me (like that), ever. Not even in testing, never. I can't explain it."

And, having started from pole, he was also furious at Hamilton for their first-corner clash, which he described as "very aggressive".